Press release 22 April 2013 at 8.30 am
The negotiations launched in Sanoma News on 5 March are now over. Sanoma News will merge its media sales, marketing and sales support functions into a new unit.
The new structure supports Sanoma News' objective of adopting a more comprehensive, customer-focused and efficient sales model. The company's media sales, marketing and sales support functions will be together in a centrally managed entity. The head of the new unit will be Risto Kyhälä, VP, Sales and Marketing.As the result of structural changes, a total of 64 people will be made redundant. 18 of these employees will be offered new tasks as an alternative to the termination of employment. The original estimate was that a maximum of 70 employees would be made redundant due to the reform."This transformation is our response to changed customer needs. The increasingly centralised structure will allow us to serve our customers with more efficient, comprehensive multimedia solutions and more in-depth sector know-how," says Risto Kyhälä."We are reforming our operations in order to create a functionally and financially solid foundation to secure our future competitiveness.  Unfortunately, the operating reorganisation also causes a loss of jobs. We will do our best to support those employees who will have to leave the company," says Pekka Soini, CEO of Sanoma News.The structural transition scheme of Sanoma News is part of the process throughout Sanoma Group, the goal of which is to lead market development and secure profit making capacity in the changing and increasingly digital operating environment.Additional information:Pekka Soini, CEO, Sanoma News, tel. +358 9 122 2000Risto Kyhälä, VP, Sales and Marketing, Sanoma News, tel. +358 400 998 800Sanoma News is the leading multi-channel media company in Finland, and its products in both print and digital format have a strong presence in the lives of their readers. In addition to Helsingin Sanomat, the largest daily in the Nordic region, the division publishes Ilta-Sanomat, Finland’s largest quality tabloid and Taloussanomat, the number one digital financial media, as well as regional newspapers. Sanoma News is also among the most significant digital actors in Finland. Sanoma News is part of the Sanoma Group, a strong European media group operating in diverse fields of consumer media and learning in 20 countries.